Erin Vander Stelt
Welcome to my writing realm!
This is where magic sharpens the heart, romance weaves through darkness, and characters don’t just survive, they rise.
Content Notes for The Dark Mage
This story includes references to:
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Abuse (verbal, emotional, physical)
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Sexual assault (non-graphic)
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Trauma and PTSD
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Grief and loss
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Female empowerment and recovery
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While these themes appear on-page, they are handled with sensitivity and are not graphically detailed. The heart of this book is healing, found family, and the strength of love.
Quotes for the Romantic
Pronunciation Guide
Welcome to the Erin Vander Stelt–approved pronunciation guide for The Dark Mage!
I’m Erin, and I’ll be your guide to the names and sounds of my fantasy world.
My goal is always to keep things simple, no unnecessary mental or linguistic gymnastics here. I believe fantasy names should feel intuitive, not intimidating.
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This is a world I share with you, so you’re always welcome to hear the names in your own voice. There’s never a wrong way to imagine them and never a need to apologize.
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If you ever have a question, feel free to reach out. Until then, enjoy the magic of Ren’wyn’s world.
Core Characters
Ren’wyn – REN-win – a dark mage Fael – FAY-el – a berserker and former imperial soldier
Territory of Lords
Vair Nyvaris – Vair nye-VAIR-iss –a ruling lord in the Territory of Lords; Ren’wyn’s father Lyr’ren Nyvaris – LEER-ren – a dark mage; Ren’wyn’s mother Daren – DAIR-en – a shade-guide in the Void; Ren’wyn’s brother Aiden – AY-den – a shade-guide in the Void; Ren’wyn’s brother Moira – MOY-rah – a shade-guide in the Void; Ren’wyn’s sister Erst – URST –a ruling lord in the Territories; Ren’wyn’s fiancée Lady Anit – ah-NEET – a noblewoman in the Territories; Erst’s mother Allwen – ALL-wen – a ruling lord in the Territories; Lyr’ren’s uncle Heren – HAIR-en – steward to Lord Vair
Spyre Academy
Peria – PAIR-ee-uh – an empath at Spyre Academy; Ren’wyn’s closest friend Esrin Marethil – ESS-rin MAR-eh-theel – a druid; heir to House Marethil in Terrepin Master Lori – LO-ree – a druid and herbalist at Spyre Academy Ila – EYE-la – a young wight in the care of Spyre Academy Master Aleth – AL-eth – a wight; head of the Academy’s catacombs Master Lilith – LIH-lith – a dark mage instructor at Spyre Academy Master Jure – JOOR – a dark mage instructor at Spyre Academy Bier – BEER – an advisor to House Marethil
Resistance
Zev – ZEHV – a wight from Kareht Miguel – mee-GEHL – a resistance fighter from Luremala Leta – LEE-ta – a resistance fighter and former imperial soldier Avonlee – AY-von-lee – a young woman from the Territory of Lords Sorya – SOAR-ree-ya – a druid in the resistance, Relya’s twin Relya – RELL-ya – a druid in the resistance, Sorya’s twin Lia – LEE-ah – a woman from The Northern Forests Alen – AL-en – a man from the Northern Forests; Lia’s brother Irik – EE-rik – a man from the Northern Forests; Lia’s brother Wilenrut – WYE-len-root – a resistance fighter from the Northern Forests Ohn – OWN – a young empath
Luremala
Lissea – LISS-ee-uh – a war queen of Libuli
Regions and Nations
Aridryn – AH-rih-dren – the main continent Territory of Lords – a western country in Aridryn Terrepin – TAIR-eh-pin – a country south of the Territories Luremala – LOO-reh-MAH-la – a county south of Terrepin Krynvallen – KRIN-val-lin – a northern country known as the Northern Forests Loringa – LOR-in-ja – a country south of Luremala Anduan – AN-doo-an – an island nation south of the continent Libuli – LIH-boo-lee – a country east of Luremala
Cities and Settlements
Ishvaen – ISH-vay-en – the capital city of Terrepin Delmor – DEL-more – a city in Terrepin Trisin – TRISS-in – a city in Terrepin Sicen – SYE-sen – a city in Terrepin Amoya – ah-MOY-ya – a city in Luremala Olir – OH-leer – a town in Luremala Lipo – LEE-po – a town in Luremala Riva – REE-va – a city in Luremala Ma-Lortil – MA-lor-TEEL – a stronghold in Libuli, home to Lissea
Geographical Features
Farro River – FAIR-ro – a major river in the Territories Mere – MEER – a tributary of the Farro River Marivian Sea – muh-RIV-ee-an – a western sea bordering Terrepin and the Territories Serath Sea – SAIR-eth – a southern sea bordering Anduan, Loringa, Luremala, and Libuli
